2016 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson was always a fun-to-drive choice in the hotly contested crowd of compact SUVs, and with this 2016 redesign, Hyundai has addressed the chief complaints against it. The previous Tucson wasn't the most family-friendly choice, with a cramped rear seat and a smaller-than-average trunk. With this new model, the rear seats now can accommodate adults and the expanded trunk space is more useful.

The rest of the offering remains familiar, with appealing improvements, though the trim lines have been juggled. The SE is now the base model and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, a 5-inch color touchscreen, a rearview camera, satellite radio, and more. Its limiting factor is the 2.0-liter engine, which feels a bit sluggish. You'll want the Eco or the Sport, which come with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that adds some pep to the performance without dinging EPA estimates much. The Limited remains the range-topping choice, with loads of features to match the Tucson’s crisp, stylish looks. All of the improvements combine to make it a tough new competitor to beat.